Coachguru Articles - The Deep Route

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The Deep Out Route
By: Casey Smith
WR Coach / Sharyland H.S.

Over the past few years, the deep out route has been a security blanket for our offense and passing game. It is a great 3rd and medium or long route and can be run effectively versus almost any coverage.
Depending on the quarterback drop, the route varies from 10-15 yards downfield. The routes can be run slightly deeper or shorter depending on where the first down sticks markers are. We run it off bootleg action, sprintout, and a 5 step semi-roll drop. It can also be run off of playaction in the pocket or a 5 step drop in the pocket, but this creates a very difficult throw which most high school quarterbacks would have a tough time completing on a consistent basis.

Quarterback Drop Variations & Route Depths

On both our 90’s (sprintout) and bootlegs, the receivers are taught to run the route approximately 14-15 yards downfield, then break back toward the sideline at a 45 degree angle(14 back to 12, or 15 back to 13). The sprintout and bootleg package routes are deeper to allow for the quarterback to get out on the perimeter and get downhill.
Our 84 / 85 package is a 5 step semi-roll in which the quarterback sets up over the playside tackle. This allows the quarterback to set up quickly and shorten the distance of the throw by about 5 yards. The receivers are taught to run this route at 12 yards downfield back to 10.

Versus Cover 3 (deep thirds) & 4 (quarters)

These are the two easiest coverages to run this route against because of the cushion that the corner is giving the receiver. The receiver is taught to push hard vertical in this situation attacking the outside hip of the defender. Most corners play an outside technique in these coverages and bail out deep when you attack their outside hip thinking it is a go or fade route. Even if the DB sits on the route, by attacking the outside hip, the receiver gives himself a position in which he can use leverage and a pushoff technique to create enough separation to get open. Receivers are taught to vary their alignment by tightening down to the formation and widening out away from the formation. Depending on how wide they line up, they must run their route differently. If they line up tight to the formation(easiest way), they can attack the outside hip immediately using an inside or outside stick move if they desire. If they line up wide, they must take an initial stem to the inside of the defender before breaking to the outside hip(should look similar to a post corner or flag route before breaking back to the sideline). This allows them to gain room on the sideline without giving away the type of route they are running based on alignment.

Versus Man Coverage

Man coverage can be a little bit tougher versus this route. The same principles apply as versus a soft zone look as far as alignment and attacking the outside hip. The difference is that the receiver usually cannot rely on cushion to get open. Now the receiver must set up the defensive back and beat him one on one. There are several ways to set up a DB, but the key is to get him moving full speed a direction opposite of the out cut. In most man coverage situations, the DB will take an inside technique forcing the receiver to release outside. This sets up the deep out perfectly because the DB has already given the receiver his outside hip. It now becomes the responsibility of the receiver to run a precise route and use correct technique to create separation. The receiver can use two types of techniques to make his break. A simple out cut back to the sideline is the first. As the receiver lowers his hips and taps his feet to make the out cut, he is taught to push off the defender with his inside hand. As he make his break, he pushes the DB upfield in the direction that the DB’s momentum was moving anyway. This creates plenty of separation and allows plenty of time for the QB and WR to hook up. The pushoff should always be at the hip or thigh of the defender, so as to prevent an offensive pass interference call. The other technique the receiver can use is to sell the vertical route right before he makes his out cut. Receivers are taught to raise their outside arm and pretend to look back at the ball. Right after that, he will drop his hips and make his out cut. This route becomes similar to a fade-stop. This technique has proven to be very effective versus man coverage.

Versus Cover 2

This is probably the toughest coverage to run the deep out against because the receiver is bracketed by a cornerback and safety and a better throw is required from the quarterback as he must place the ball between two defenders. The receiver must also be able to recognize this coverage and adjust his route accordingly. The receiver is no longer aiming for the outside hip of the cornerback. He now has to take a hard inside-seam release, then push straight upfield on a vertical stem right at the safety with his eyes looking straight downfield past the defender. This will sell the vertical seam, post, and flag routes and keep the safety guessing as to where the receiver is going. The receiver will then either drop his hips and break outside to the sideline or use a speed cut(roll into his break). Either way, versus a Cover 2 look, the receiver will flatten his out cut to the sideline giving him more separation from the underneath cornerback.

Drills

We do a variety of drills working on the out cut and the pushoff technique. Here are a few:

1) In Cut / Out cut drills – The receiver will run the last 5 yards of his route focuses on his out or in cut, making sure to drop his hips and tap his feet. Emphasis is on getting in and out of the break quickly. A key coaching point is to have the receiver throw his elbow in the direction that he is breaking.

2) Buddy drills – The receiver lines up on the outside and DB on the inside. On command, they will both sprint downfield with the receiver making his out cut about 8-10 yards downfield. As the receiver lowers his hips, he pushes off the defender at the hip or thigh.

3) Pushoff / Sideline drill - We do basic sideline drills to work the receivers’ feet around the sideline and a sideline pushoff drill. This drill works the last 5 yards of the route. The DB will squat at a point 5-6 yards from the WR. The receiver will run into the DB and pushoff the hip of the DB gaining separation. The ball is then thrown to the receiver as the DB tries to make a play. This also helps teach the WR to shield the DB from the ball with his body.

4) We also run a drill in which we work on selling the fade by raising our outside arm and looking back for the ball just before we make our out cut. We usually run this live during group pass and team sessions.

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